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$1,000 Reward Offered After 5 Swans Found Dead Along Washtenaw County Road

FREEDOM TOWNSHIP (WWJ/AP) - A $1,000 reward is being offered for information about the deaths of a family of trumpeter swans along a Michigan road.

The Humane Society of Huron Valley on Thursday announced the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the Washtenaw County case.

The sheriff's office says the five swans -- including one adult and four babies -- were struck between 7:15 a.m. and 8 a.m. Wednesday by a vehicle that ran off the right side of the road and close to a pond's edge, at the corner of Parker and Scio Church Road in Freedom Township.

swans run down
(credit: Humane Society of Huron Valley)

The swans were found dead that morning by an area resident. Investigators say it appears they were deliberately run over.

"It was a very gruesome scene. Parent and babies all dead. Accidents happen, but this looks like intentional cruelty," HSHV Animal Cruelty Investigator Aaron Soyring said in a statement. "It's horrible what people sometimes do to animals, and we see it too often here. People who live in that area and drive that road everyday are heartbroken. The swans have been a part of their community for years; they enjoy their grace and beauty and watch them raise their babies."

Authorities suspect the swans were hit by a Jeep or pickup truck with 18- to 20-inch all-terrain tires, based on tracks at the scene. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources also is investigating.

Adult pairs of Trumpeter swans often mate for life and generally have very strong family bonds. "A single swan now is alone in the pond," said Soyring.

In a Facebook post, the Humane Society of Huron Valley says there is a strong link between human violence and violence against animals and that they believe finding the person or persons responsible for this crime is important for public safety.

Trumpeter swans, which are classified as a threatened species protected in the state of Michigan, are similar in appearance to other white swans, but their foreheads slope evenly to an all black bill.

"Intentional abuse and torture" of four or more animals is a felony in Michigan and can include up to two years in prison in addition to other fines and penalties.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 734-973-7711, or the HSHV's 24-hour animal cruelty hotline at 734-661-3512.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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